I have memories of my childhood walking home from Catholic school, always needing to stay alert for the Protestant bullies who would wait to attack us on our way home in the afternoons. Being the oldest in the family, I was the apparent target. As a good kid, I didn’t understand the behavior directed at me. Was it because I looked odd in my school uniform, or was it due to being a Catholic kid in the minority facing racist behavior? I didn’t know why they wanted to be so cruel to me!

In this common familial dynamic, the scapegoat takes on the responsibility for the character flaws of other members somewhat unconsciously. This enables the narcissistic family to project a façade of functionality and relational harmony to external observers. However, beneath this veneer lies emotional turmoil and the façade of pride that dictate their identities, resulting in persistent personal destruction. The scapegoated individual is a proxy for the family's transgressions, encapsulating their collective issues.